AUSTIN, TX — A Girl & A Gun (AG & AG) hosted a training for female law enforcement on August 9-11, 2017, at the American Police Hall of Fame in Titusville, FL. Participants included five law enforcement officers (LEOs), one spouse of a LEO, and two civilians.
In July 2016 AG & AG launched the “Back the Women in Blue” campaign in which club members purchased t-shirts benefiting officers’ training. With significant support from GLOCK, ammunition from Federal Premium, additional support from Tuff Products, and facility fees from the American Police Hall of Fame, AG & AG was able to provide the firearms training, hotel and some travel accommodations, and all meals for the officers.
“This was an extremely gratifying training focusing and elaborating on safety, fundamentals, and mindset,” said Officer Meghan Vold of the Park Forest (IL) Police Department. “As a female LEO/student I left with more confidence, empowerment, tactics, friendships, and unbreakable bonds. A Girl & A Gun is a tremendous training environment to enjoy trigger-time in an accepting, fun, motivating, and inspirational atmosphere.”
The 2.5-day training course was conducted by Heather Eckert, a civilian subject matter expert who holds multiple law enforcement and civilian training certifications, including Texas DPS Level III Firearms and Classroom Instructor. Topics included presentations on verbal judo, fit for duty, mindset, and body language recognition that the officers found very beneficial as a refresher from learning it in the academy, as well as live-fire instruction on the range and simulated situational scenarios with equipment from Tactical Preparation USA.
AG & AG is planning to offer additional training events for female officers, as well as a training course designed specifically for wives of LEOs, whose lives face uncertain dangers due to the nature of their spouses’ careers. For more information, visit AGirlandAGun.org/back-the-blue.